TEMPO.

SUICIDE BY POISONING.

“Suicide by poisoning, while temporarily insane,” was the verdict at the inquest in Barrington’s Hospital, Limerick on James Murphy, who died there on Tuesday night week.

The medical evidence was that death was due to heart failure caused by an overdose of lysol.

James Moloney, with whom deceased lodged in Thomondgate, said Murphy was employed as a clerk on the Shannon scheme, and was discharged a fortnight ago.

Inspector Kenny, C.G., said he was in William Street station on Tuesday night when deceased came in and said he was after drinking a bottle of lysol, and he gave his name as James Murphy, Edenmore, Tempo.

Witness summoned spiritual and medical aid, and when attended to, deceased was removed to hospital.

In a letter addressed to his wife, found in his pocket, and dated 24/3/’26, deceased said he was in terrible trouble, as he had been out of employment for over a week, and could not find anything suitable. He did not like to return home after spending such a short time in Limerick. He could not, he added, see any possible way out of his present condition, and would not annoy her by saying what he was going to do, but he hoped for forgiveness for the line of action he had adopted, as he was completely at the mercy of the waves. He could find nothing to do, as there were hundreds there without employment, and very little prospect for any decent sort of living.

Guard McQuillan said he knew deceased as a teacher in Clones seven years ago.

– Fermanagh Herald, Saturday, April 10, 1926.

LIMERICK TRAGEDY.

Ex-School Teacher’s Death From Poison.

THE INQUEST.

Sad Story Of Hopeless Outlook.

Mr. J. G. McNoice, City Coroner, held an inquest at Barrington’s Hospital, Limerick this evening into the circumstances connected with the death of James Murphy, who succumbed in the institution last night from the effects of lysol, said to be self-administered.

Supt. O’Reilly conducted the inquest.

Dr. W. P. Dundon, House Surgeon, Barrington’s Hospital, stated deceased was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital, and died ten minutes after admission. Death was due to heart failure, as a result of taking an excessive quantity of lysol.

COMRADE’S EVIDENCE.

James Moloney stated deceased lodged with him at Thomondgate, and was employed as a clerk in the Shannon scheme, and was discharged a fortnight ago. He last saw him alive yesterday at 4 o’clock in the city with a sergeant of the Civic Guard. Deceased then told witness that he had an appointment with a German for re-employment. He never found anything peculiar in his demeanour, and yesterday he was brighter than usual, but he frequently said he did not like being dismissed from his clerical position on the Shannon scheme, but that he had hope of getting re-employed.

DAY-ROOM DRAMA.

Inspector J. Kenny deposed that while in the day-room, William Street Civic Guard Station last night the deceased came in and told him that he was after drinking a bottle of lysol. Witness then gave his name as James Murphy, of Edenmore Tempo, Co. Fermanagh. He added that he threw the bottle over the wall and that the glass was down the yard. He declined to say where he purchased the lysol, and then appeared to be losing consciousness. Seeing his condition, the [text missing] the deceased was immediately removed to hospital by ambulance.

PATHETIC LETTER.

A letter addressed to “My Dear M” was found in his pocket, dated 24-3-’26. It stated: “Sorry I have not written for past couple of weeks, but I have been in terrible trouble since you received my last letter. I have been out of employment for over a week at Siemen’s, and cannot find anything suitable in my line. When I received my notice I did not like to return home after spending such a short time in Limerick. I am sure you have felt it terrible when you got no word from me for so long a period. I had letters written, but destroyed them, one to the Ministry of Education and one to yourself. I cannot see any possible way out of my present condition, and I shall not worry you by saying what I am going to do when I finish this note. I hope you will forgive me for the line of action which I have adopted. I cannot help it, as I am completely at the mercy of the winds. For the past few days I have explored every possible channel, but can find nothing to do. There are hundreds here without employment, and have very little prospects for any decent sort of living. I do not attach any blame to anyone for my present state. It all lies on my own shoulders. However, I hope I will be forgiven for my wild action. If I saw any possible chance I would not perform such a deed. Remember me to all, and don’t forget to pray for me. – From your Jim.

That letter was, said the Inspector, addressed to Mrs. J. Murphy, Edenmore Tempo, Co. Fermanagh.

Supt. O’Reilly – Was there also found in his possession a notice terminating his employment with Siemen Bau Union?

Witness – Yes. He had also a letter written to the man he evidently stayed with. It contained reasons why he could not continue in his present position of being out of employment.

WORRIED OVER LOST POSITION.

Guard Murray gave evidence of finding the tumbler from which the lysol was drunk in the barrack yard shortly after deceased being removed to hospital.

Guard McQuillan deposed that he knew the deceased seven years ago at Clones, Co. Monaghan, where he was employed as a school teacher. Last September he came to Limerick for work on the Shannon scheme, and in conversation with witness he lost his position as teacher in Tempo, and seemed very much worried over it. He was continually regretting the good position he lost.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide by poisoning, while temporarily insane.

– Irish Examiner, Thursday, April 1, 1926.